The Huffington Post – Jill L. Ferguson
“No single subject seems to induce as much fear in school children as mathematics can. I loved math in elementary school but by eight grade’s accelerated algebra 1, I dreaded the class, the homework, and the tears and frustration that became an almost nightly-ritual. And I’ve watched in empathy as my stepdaughter has had the same experiences. Danica McKellar, actress, author, mathematician and education advocate, who wrote Math Doesn’t Suck, Kiss My Math, Hot X: Algebra Exposed and Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape said, “My main concern with the condition of mathematics in high school is that there’s a lot of fear involved! Math is not, generally speaking, presented in a fun way. The concepts, as I see them, are fun, and that’s the way I’d like to convey them myself.” Founder of New York City’s Eureka Math Tutors Michael Priyev agrees. “Math has the power to strike fear into the hearts of children and adults alike,” he told HuffPo in an interview. Because of this, he offers tips to parents on how to help their children build math confidence.”(more)